Indonesian Garter?!?!?!?

[nessy]

I walked passed a small pet shop on my way home yesterday and saw some 'indonesian garter snakes' for sale for £14.99 in the UK.

Having heard that garters are supposedly north american, i decided to do a little bit of research on the net. apparently, they are not true garters but a species of venomous rear fanged water snake!! not the best idea to be selling them as a beginner snake posing uder the harmless name of garters!

I don't have pictures, but if anyone knows anything about this species...... I'm all ears.

cheers guys!

[Daniel]

Hey Nessy,

just search google for xenochrophis vittatus and you will get some more informations about the "indonesian garter snake". It´s a very nice looking snake and absolutly calm.



Best wishes,

Daniel

[nessy]

thanks daniel,

yeah i thought they were quite pretty too.

so are they venomous? if so how toxic are their venom. Also, has anyone tried hybridising them with garters or is it not possible?

[Thamnophis]

I have kept them in the past. They need about the same care as an average Thamnophis. Maybe a little warmer.
Eat fish etc.
They lay eggs, so hybrides are not possible, I think.

In the past they belonged to Natrix.

They are as venemous as Thamnophis.